Centrifugal pump



Oct. 14, 1947. J. B. WHITTED CBNTRIFUGAL PUIP Filed July 27, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l I II I Oct. 14, 1947.

J. B. WHITTED 2,429,114

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Filed July 27, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 14, 1947 I 2.4mm. CENTRIFUGAL rum an. n Whitted.

Stewart-Warner corporation of Vir Evanston', Ill., assignor to Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a

Application July 27, 1943, Serial No. 498,354

11 Claims. (Cl. 103-47) My invention relates to centrifugal pumps which are particularly adapted for, but not limited to, pumping of fuels for internal combustion engines and similar purposes.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved pump which has no shafts or similar moving parts which require packing and which are subject to leakage.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved pump which has no valves which open and close continuously during the operation of the pump and which is substantially noiseless and free from vibration. 1

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved pump which delivers the liquid in a substantially constant stream free from pulsations and other noise and vibration producing characteristics.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive pump of a, new design which will require a minimum of service or other attention,

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved centrifugal pump which is highly eflicient and which may be located either outside or inside a body of liquid to be pumped.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal, sectional view through a centrifugal pump embodying a preferred form of my invention and showing the operating motor in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a view broken away;

Fig. 3 is a transverse view ular line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an irregular, transverse view taken on the line H of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation; and

Fig. 6 is an end view the arrow 8 of Fig. 5.

The preferred embodiment shown in the drawings comprises a cylindrical member it having a cap I! threadedlysecured thereto, as indicated at H. The member l0 and cap II are preferably formed of brass, aluminu'm, zinc, plastic, or other suitable non-magnetic material and together constitute the pump housing. A fixed diaphragm of the rotor showing one side taken on the irreglooking in the direction of embodiment shown in the motor. indicated generally 24, is attached to the righthand end of the member III by studs 26, or in any other suitable manner. This motor may be of any conventional or suitable type and may be opening 30 in the righthand end of member l0 and the projecting portion of this shaft carries a U-shaped, permanent magnet 32 which is held against a shoulder 34 and washer 36, the screw being threaded into a tap hold in the end of'the shaft. It is to be understood that the magnet 84 is attached to the shaft 28 in such manner that rotation of this shaft rotates the magnet 82.

A rotor is located in the pumping chamber l8 and is driven by rotation of the magnet 32. This rotor comprises an iron or steel bar 38 and nonmagnetic discs 40 and I! of brass or other suitable material secured to the sides of the bar I! by soldering, welding, or in any other suitable manner. As most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bar 38 is elongated and of rectangular cross section, the length of this bar being equal to the diameter of the discs 40 and II.

The rotor comprising the bar 38 and discs 40 and 42 is mounted on a shaft 44. The righthand end of this shaft rotates in an annular Jewel 48 and abuts a. second jewel. Both ofthese jewels arecarried in a support 30 attached to the fixed diaphragm IS. The support I0 is imperiorate, so that no fluid can leak from the pumping chamber into the magnet compartment.

The lefthand end of the shaft 44 is supported in an annular jewel 52 mounted directly in the cap [2. The extreme lefthand end of this shaft is tapered, as indicated at it, and engages a seccud iewel 56 carried in a screw as adiustably formed in this shaft by a screw 1 threaded in a hollow extension ll of the cap ii. The screw it may be adjusted lengthwise or the extension 60 for bearing adjustment and the screw is located in adjusted position by a lock nut 62. A removable cover 4 encloses the head of the screw 58 and lock nut 82 and a sealing gasket 66 is preferably interposed between the cover 64 and cap I! to form a fluid-tight joint therebetween.

The cap 12 is provided with an inlet passage 08 having a tapped end to receive the threaded end of a fluid supply pipe 10. The passage 08 conducts the fluid to be pumped to the shaft receiving bore 12. It will be'noted that the shaft 44 has a central portion of reduced diameter opposite the inlet passage 8 to facilitate flow of fluid from this passage to the shaft receiving bore 12. This particular structure of shaft with reduced central portion afford maximum rigidity with minimum size and minimum interference with fluid flow.

The shaft receiving bore 12 has a tapered portion 14 which merges into the pumping chamber is to facilitate flow of fluid from the bore 12 into this chamber. Rotor disc 42 has openings 18 opposite the tapered enlargement 14 whereby fluid may flow freely into the fluid chambers 18 and 80 formed on opposite sides of the bar 38 and located between discs 40 and 42.

The magnet 32 has a transverse or base portion 82 and forwardly extending legs 84 and 88. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the base portion 82 is preferably somewhat wider than the legs 84 and 86 so that the cross sectional area of the magnet is not reduced where this magnet is drilled to receive a motor shaft 28. It will also be apparent that the legs 84 and 86 preferably merge into the base 82 along inner curves to provide maximum flux density at the extreme ends of these legs.

These legs attract opposite ends or the bar 38 and this bar normally lies in the plane of these legs but is shown, in Fig. 1, as be ng at right angles to this plane in order to disclose more clearly the structure of the rotor.

When it is desired to operate my novel pump, the electrical circuit to the motor 24 is closed, whereupon the motor shaft 28 rotates magnet 32. Bar 38 will rotate with the magnet and in the plane of the legs 84 and 86, creating a whirling motion of the liquid in the liquid chambers 18 and 80. The resulting centrifugal force throws this liquid toward the outer circumferential wall of this chamber and the liquid is discharged through outlet passage 88 and discharge pipe 90 attached thereto.

The outward flow of the liquid in chambers 18 and 80 sucks additional liquid through supply pipe 10, inlet passage 68, bore 12, taper 14 and openings 16 into the liquid chambers 18 and 80 to create a continuous flow of liquid between the supply pipe and the discharge pipe 90. There is no mechanical driving connection between the motor and the rotor and fixed diaphragm l6 effectively prevents leakage of liquid from the pumping chamber l8. In normal operation, no leakage would occur around the screw 58, but if such leakage should occur the fluid will merely flow into the cover 64 until this cover is filled with liquid, since gasket it effectively prevents leakage between this cover and the cap II.

The particular pump shown is especially designed to pump gasoline or other liquid fuel into a carburetor having a float valve which completely seals the carburetor inlet when the fuel in the carburetor, float bowl is at maximum and adjacentenlarged portions height. For such use I have found it desirable to provide my novel-pump with a pressure controlled bypass which conducts fluid from the pump outlet to the inlet. This bypass is effective in preventing undue loads on the motor when fuel delivered to the carburetor is prevented by the closing of the float controlled inlet valve. Where the pump is to be used for other purposes, such a pressure controlled bypass may be unnecessary or undesirable and may be omitted.

This pressure controlled bypass comprises a bore 92 connecting outlet passage ll with a valve chamber 84 having a valve seat 88 and a ball valve 88. A spring I", conflned between the ball 8| and a screw plug I", urges the ball valve ll against the seat 98. Abore I04 connects the valve chamber 94 with the pump inlet.

The spring Hill is preselected to permit the bypass valve to open under the desired predetermined pressure. If it is desired to adapt the pump to different conditions, the plug 102 may be unscrewed and another spring of different stillness substituted to increase or decrease the pressure required to open the bypass valve. A suitable washer III! i preferably interposed between the plug I02 and a shoulder in the cap I! to prevent leakage therebetween.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided an extremely simple and efficient pump for pumping fuel or other liquids at relatively low pressures. An important feature of my invention resides in the perfect sealing of the pumping mechanism against leakage and the absence of packing glands. or other sealing means for preventing leakage about rotating or reciprocating parts. The pump rotor is supported in jewel bearings which require no lubrication and these bearings are capable of affording long and trouble-free service. In the particular embodiments shown the magnet is supported on the motor shaft and this shaft may be mounted in the usual ball bearings which, if properly designed and lubricated, will likewise afford maximum service with a minimum of attention.

It will be noted that my novel pump has no valves which must open and close during the normal operation of the pump. All of the essential elements of the pump are rotating elements which are substantially noiseless so that in the pump shown substantially the only noise will be that created by operation of the motor 24. Such motors can be made to operate extremely quietly so that if desired a substantially silent pump can be provided. If even less noise is desired, a. flexible shaft or other driving means could be substituted for the motor 24 and this latter type of driving means is also desirable where it is preferred to submerge the pump in the liquid to be pumped, although sealed electric motors can be used for this purpose if desired.

A further feature of my invention lies in the simplicity and accessibility of the various parts of my novel pump whereby these parts can be readily inspected or replaced if necessary. It should also be noted that a minimum amount of machining is required for the various parts and this machining can be readily performed by conventional machinery, by conventional commercial methods and well within usual tolerance limits.

While I have illustrated and described only a single embodiment of my invention, it is to be 1Q understood that my invention may assume numerous forms and that my invention includes all variations, modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A centrifugal pump of the class described, comprising a non-magnetic housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a fixed, non-magnetic diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a power shaft having a free end extending into said compartment and unsupported therein, a magnet located in said compartment and mounted on the free end of said shaft, means for rotating said shaft and said magnet, a magnetic rotor in said pumping chamber driven by said magnet, said rotor including a bar of magnetic material forming the pumpin element, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, and means supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet.

2. A centrifugal pump of the class described, comprising a non-magnetic housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a fixed, non-magnetic diaphragm separatin said chamber from said compartment, a magnet located in said compartment, an electric motor for rotating said magnet, a rotor located in said pumping chamber and including an iron bar forming the pumping element, said iron bar being driven by said magnet, an inlet for said pump.- ing chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, and a shaft supporting said rotorfor rotation with said magnet.

3. A centrifugal pump of the class described, comprising a, non-magnetic housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a fixed non-magnetic diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a power shafthaving a free end extending into said compartment and unsupported therein, a magnet located in said compartment and mounted on the free end of said shaft, means for rotating said shaft and said magnet, a magnetic rotor in said pumping chamber driven by said magnet, said rotor including a bar forming the pumping element, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, a shaft supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet, a bearing in said housing for one end of said shaft, and a bearing in said diaphragm for the other end of said shaft. I

4. A centrifugal pump of the class described, comprising a non-magnetic housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a fixed, non-magnetic diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a magnet located in said compartment, means for rotatin said magnet, a rotor in said pumping chamber driven by said magnet, ,said rotor comprising-a magnetic bar and non-magnetic discs on opposite sides thereof, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for said Dumping chamber and means supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet.

5. A centrifugal pump of the class described, comprising a housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a fixed diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a magnet located in said compartment, means forrotating said magnet, a rotor in said pumping chamber, driven by said magnet, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, and a shaft supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet, said shaft said magnet,

chamber driven by said being located in said inlet and'having a reduced portion, to facilitate fiow therethrough.

6. A centrifugal pump of the class described,

comprising a non-magnetic housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a fixed, non-magnetic diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a magnet located in said compartment, means for rotating said magnet, a magnetic rotor in said pumping magnet, said rotor including a bar forming the pumping element, an inlet for said pumping-chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, means supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet, a motor for driving said magnet, and means for attaching said motor to said housing in alignment with said rotor supporting means.

7. A centrifugal pump ot the class described, comprising a two-part, non-magnetic housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a fixed non-magnetic diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment and clamped between the parts of said housing, a magnet located in said compartment, an electric motor for rotating said magnet, an iron bar in said pumping chamber driven by said'magnet, said bar forming the pumping element, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, and a shaft supporting said bar for rotation with said magnet,

8. A centrifugal pump of the class described, comprising a non-magnetic housing providing a pumping chamber and a magnet compartment, a

fixed, non-magnetic diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a magnet located in said compartment, means for rotating said magnet, a rotor in said pumping chamber driven by said magnet, said rotor comprising a magnetic bar, a non-magnetic disc on one side thereof, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, and means supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet.

9. A centrifugal pump of the class described, comprising a housing providing a cylindrical pumping chamber and a cylindrical magnet compartment, a fixed diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a magnet located in said compartment, means for rotating said magnet, a rotor in said pumping chamber driven by said magnet, an inlet for said pumping chamber, said inlet having a radial portion and an axial portion, chamber, and a shaft supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet, said shaft being located in said axial portion and having a reduced portion opposite said radial portion.

10. A centrifugal pump of the class described,

comprising a housing providing a pumping chainber and a. magnet compartment, a fixed diaphragm separating said chamber from said compartment, a U-shaped, permanent magnet located in said compartment, means for rotating a magnetic rotor in said pumping chamber driven by said magnet, said rotor comprising a ferrous bar and a disc of non-ferrous material, said bar forming the impeller portion of the said rotor, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for said pumping chamber, and means supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet.

11. A centrifugal pump 01' the class described, comprising a housing providing a pum ing chamber and a magnet compartment, non-magnetic means separating said chamber from said compartment, a magnet located in said compartment,

an outlet for said pumping means for rotating said magnet, a magnetic rotor in said pumping chamber driven by said magnet, said rotor comprising a bar of magnetic material and a pair 0! side members rigid with said bar,

one of said side members having a fluid inlet therethrough, an inlet for said pumping chamber, an outlet for, said pumping chamber, and means supporting said rotor for rotation with said magnet.

JOHN B. WHI'I'I'ED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent:

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